SLM Snowman entered only three races during this spring's quarter horse season at Remington Park. But, he made them all count.
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Owned by Lindsey Mitchell, trained by Don Martin and ridden by Jacky Martin, he made his 2006 debut a successful one by winning the SLM Big Daddy Stakes in April. In May, he came up just a bit short while placing in the MBNA AmericaOklahoma Challenge Championship.
The Snowman then showed his prowess last Sunday in the Remington Park Championship. Competing against the richest field in one particular race ever staged at the local track, the 6-year-old gelding was somewhat overlooked because of the more hyped 2005 World Champion DM Shicago and Remington's 2005 Horse of the Meeting Country Chicks Man. He went off at 8-1 odds but won by a length over second-place Country Chicks Man.
As a result, SLM was voted Remington Park's 2006 Horse of the Meeting. He was also named the Champion Older Male.
The other honorees were:
Champion Oklahoma-bred: Country Chicks Man repeated in this category. Owned and trained by Sparky Mullins, the 5-year-old won the Eastex Handicap, the Leo Stakes and the Sooner State Stakes.
Champion 2-year-old: First Carolina was undefeated in three outings. Owned by the partnership of Weetona Stanley and Ed Smith and trained by Heath Taylor, she won the richest race of the season, the $677,365 Heritage Place Futurity.
Champion 3-year-old: PYC Paint Your Wagon, owned by Michael Pohl and trained by Jack Brooks, was victorious in both of his attempts, including a win in the $167,777 Heritage Place Derby.
Champion Older Female: This Snow is Cold won the MBNA Oklahoma Challenge Championship for the second straight year. The 5-year-old is owned by Los Ladrilleros Horse Racing Co. and trained by Melinda Garcia.
Champion Distance Runner: Plain Eye Opening had never run a "hook" race before this season, but he was triumphant in all three of his races around the turn. The 4-year-old is owned by GRC and Double D and trained by Eddie Willis.
Champion Paint: In his only outing, Got Country Grip won by an astounding 5½ lengths in the 400-yard Paint Stallion Breeders' Association Derby. Owned by Jimmy Maddux and trained by Brandon Parum, the 3-year-old was the 2005 World Champion Paint.
Champion Appaloosa: Texas Royal Snow hit the wire first in his three races, including the Americana Appaloosas Futurity. The 2-year-old is also owned by Maddux and trained by Parum.
Champion Claimer: Masters Okey registered three consecutive wins while moving up the conditional ladder. The 4-year-old is owned and trained by Monte Brooks.
Around the track
While Remington Park has no live racing, it will be open at 10 a.m. everyday for simulcasts, including today's Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown. The track's thoroughbred season will begin Aug. 4.
The 2006 spring quarter horse campaign was the richest in Remington Park history as more than $8.7 million was distributed in prize money. Also, attendance (270,010) was up a remarkable 343 percent over last year and the most since 1990.
"The season was a resounding success, and we closed on a high note with a night of memorable stakes races and record handle," said Scott Wells, Remington Park's vice president and general manager. "Most of the Who's Who of quarter horse racing were on hand, and many of them said it was the best program of racing they had seen in years."
